Spring Training 2020

[Slasher9]

We really don't know the actual numbers in the Sox' offers to Mookie or even if there were negotiations; most reports suggest there weren't any -- the only number ever attributed to Betts' camp was $420M, their price required to buy out his free agency. All we can do is speculate... but let's even say Boston caved in the past year and agreed to meet his asking AAV of $35M or even exceed it to $36M (say, 10 for $360) -- Whatever it was (if it was), Mookie still didn't sign.

 

Instead they traded his butt out of Boston. Now envision the Sox tank and trade all his buds like JBJ and JD and look like a non-contender for the next few rebuilding years. Meanwhile, Betts has another MVP-type year and goes far in the postseason on a team that has already finished first the last seven seasons without him. Both of these scenarios are certainly possibilities.

 

If the latter occurs, Mookie's asking price a year from now very well could be around half a billion dollars. It will definitely be higher than it was the last time the Sox talked to him. He may not get his asking price, but some team may deem his value -- at the then-current top of the market price -- at a higher number than what he once wanted from Henry to stay in Boston. And if the Red Sox really want him back, they may have no choice but to pay a premium above say, one single dollar more than his highest other offer.

 

5GG....your last sentence is the only one that matters and is exactly what it will take to sign Mookie when he hits FA next offseason. by resetting we will be one of the teams in the bidding war....

[Bellhorn04]

Teams don't typically win bidding wars by going $1 higher, of course.

 

If the reports are accurate, the Yankees secured Cole by offering a 9th year at $36 million, whereas the Dodgers and Angels each called it quits at 8 years at the same rate.

[notin]

Teams don't typically win bidding wars by going $1 higher, of course.

 

If the reports are accurate, the Yankees secured Cole by offering a 9th year at $36 million, whereas the Dodgers and Angels each called it quits at 8 years at the same rate.

 

The $1 was more symbolic.

 

The point is that if the Sox are interested in Betts, they’re on a level playing field with 28 other teams (Dodgers will have a slight advantage in an exclusive negotiating window), and not starting off with some form of penalty or disadvantage...

[Slasher9]

Teams don't typically win bidding wars by going $1 higher, of course.

 

If the reports are accurate, the Yankees secured Cole by offering a 9th year at $36 million, whereas the Dodgers and Angels each called it quits at 8 years at the same rate.

 

i dont think there is anything typical about the upcoming Mookie Betts free agency. it is not very often you see a generational talent hit FA and that player letting it well be known that cash is king. there has been no beating around the bush from the Betts camp. for certain this will make next years hot stove very interesting.

[Bellhorn04]

The $1 was more symbolic.

 

The point is that if the Sox are interested in Betts, they’re on a level playing field with 28 other teams (Dodgers will have a slight advantage in an exclusive negotiating window), and not starting off with some form of penalty or disadvantage...

 

The only question is whether there's some place he really wants to play.

 

With some players that doesn't seem to matter at all, of course.

 

I can't believe the #1 destinations for Harper & Machado were Philly and San Diego (yes I know SD is a nice place to live).

[Slasher9]

The only question is whether there's some place he really wants to play.

 

 

with no MLB team in Tennessee i am going to guess...no.

[Bellhorn04]

with no MLB team in Tennessee i am going to guess...no.

 

Atlanta has been mentioned.

[notin]

with no MLB team in Tennessee i am going to guess...no.

 

Who says he even likes Tennessee?

 

He might love Southern California. At least until he has to drive somewhere.

 

In some respects, Boston has a big advantage. He knows the place and what it is like to play there. And per Peter Gammons, he was happy with the Red Sox.

 

The Sox will be positioned to bring him back, butt here has to be mutual interest as measured in US dollars...

[notin]

Atlanta has been mentioned.

 

Except that with Acuna, Pache, Waters, Riley, and Inciarte, OF might not be their most pressing need.

 

Betts is a clear upgrade over all of them, except possibly Acuna, but outfield might also not be where they chose to spend their allowance...

[Slasher9]

Who says he even likes Tennessee?

 

..

 

nobody AFAIK. I just picked the place that he grew up....

[Slasher9]

Except that with Acuna, Pache, Waters, Riley, and Inciarte, OF might not be their most pressing need.

 

Betts is a clear upgrade over all of them, except possibly Acuna, but outfield might also not be where they chose to spend their allowance...

 

i heard he can play 2b.

[mvp 78]

i heard he can play 2b.

 

I hope he doesn't have to play against SD at any point. Career killer.

[notin]

i heard he can play 2b.

 

Also not on Atlanta's wish list. Albies is pretty damn good and his contract also helps makes Betts less afforable.

 

The main reason I would see Atlanta avoiding this is because they, like the Dodgers with Bellinger, will have their own superstar whose free agency they would like to avoid, and it will cost them handsomely as they are aware. The notion of losing the prime years of Acuna because they paid Betts deep into his 30s makes very little baseball sense.

 

The Red Sox and the Mets, on the other hand, could easily position themselves at the front of the line in a battle to see who closes their checkbook first...

[notin]

i heard he can play 2b.

 

It is worth pointing out that Betts still takes reps at 2B and SS, per Gammons. When Gammons asked him about this, pointing out he already had a position and was not going to be moved around, Betts just replied "You never know what will happen in extra innings."

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

The only question is whether there's some place he really wants to play.

 

With some players that doesn't seem to matter at all, of course.

 

I can't believe the #1 destinations for Harper & Machado were Philly and San Diego (yes I know SD is a nice place to live).

 

This has always been my feeling about Mookie insisting on going to free agency: some place closer to home, some place warmer, some place not Boston...

 

Maybe I've been myopic, but to me, Betts was one of the rare baseball stars beloved by a fanatical fanbase of a large market franchise dedicated to winning who never publicly expressed a goal to remain with his original club forever. Unlike Lester, Bogaerts, Sale... even Lindor has been saying lately he wants to stay in Cleveland. Didn't Lowell take less to re-sign than go to Philly?

 

These guys aren't all just mercenaries. Competitive athletes want to win, and once they're set for life monetarily they start craving intrinsic rewards like Manfred's piece of metal. If Mookie sees like-minded compadres like JBJ and JD jettisoned in favor of a rebuild, that may be another factor in his decision. Look at Arenado now; a year after hitting the jackpot he's hungry and having second thoughts about staying in Colorado.

 

As far as signing with a team for one dollar more -- if a guy prefers one place or another, I'd think the runner-up would have to exceed the best offer by enough to make him change his mind. In other words, if he likes LA better and it offers 420, Boston may have to go to 450... but these are all hypotheticals (hypatheticals) since we already know the Sox don't deem Mookie at the very top of industry market value. Yet.

[Elktonnick]

This has always been my feeling about Mookie insisting on going to free agency: some place closer to home, some place warmer, some place not Boston...

 

Maybe I've been myopic, but to me, Betts was one of the rare baseball stars beloved by a fanatical fanbase of a large market franchise dedicated to winning who never publicly expressed a goal to remain with his original club forever. Unlike Lester, Bogaerts, Sale... even Lindor has been saying lately he wants to stay in Cleveland. Didn't Lowell take less to re-sign than go to Philly?

 

These guys aren't all just mercenaries. Competitive athletes want to win, and once they're set for life monetarily they start craving intrinsic rewards like Manfred's piece of metal. If Mookie sees like-minded compadres like JBJ and JD jettisoned in favor of a rebuild, that may be another factor in his decision. Look at Arenado now; a year after hitting the jackpot he's hungry and having second thoughts about staying in Colorado.

 

As far as signing with a team for one dollar more -- if a guy prefers one place or another, I'd think the runner-up would have to exceed the best offer by enough to make him change his mind. In other words, if he likes LA better and it offers 420, Boston may have to go to 450... but these are all hypotheticals (hypatheticals) since we already know the Sox don't deem Mookie at the very top of industry market value. Yet.

 

My gut feeling is that Mookie is going to take LA by storm. He could easily become a media darling out there which is going make getting him to leave the West Coast very difficult and very very expensive.

[mvp 78]

My gut feeling is that Mookie is going to take LA by storm. He could easily become a media darling out there which is going make getting him to leave the West Coast very difficult and very very expensive.

 

They already have a fully formed team with marketable stars. People will like Mookie for sure, but I think Bellinger will always be the top dog.

[Slasher9]

They already have a fully formed team with marketable stars. People will like Mookie for sure, but I think Bellinger will always be the top dog.

 

bellinger is a dirt dog.

[Bellhorn04]

My gut feeling is that Mookie is going to take LA by storm. He could easily become a media darling out there which is going make getting him to leave the West Coast very difficult and very very expensive.

 

Mookiewood.

[Slasher9]

Mookiewood.

 

i definitely think they will market the hell out of mookie this season. as well they should.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

My gut feeling is that Mookie is going to take LA by storm. He could easily become a media darling out there which is going make getting him to leave the West Coast very difficult and very very expensive.

 

Totally agree -- and Bellinger isn't doing himself any favors to remain top dawg by constantly whining about the Astros, either. Correa and his mates should take the heat at this point, but I agree with him that Bellinger should stfu about the '17 WS (when Cody hit .143 with 17 Ks in 7 games).

[mvp 78]

Bellinger is repeating what everyone in LA is already stating. The LA City Council wrote a damn letter to the MLB demanding the WS trophy be presented to them. You may not like him talking about the Astros, but Bellinger, Turner and many other Dodgers are going to continue to go after the Astros for some time. I believe the LA fans want them to do so.

[mvp 78]

@NBCSCameraGuys

Legendary #RedSox outfielder Dwight Evans has spent a great deal of time talking with Alex Verdugo this spring.

[Slasher9]

@NBCSCameraGuys

Legendary #RedSox outfielder Dwight Evans has spent a great deal of time talking with Alex Verdugo this spring.

 

oh great. dewey hanging out with a serial rapist!

[mvp 78]

oh great. dewey hanging out with a serial rapist!

 

Serial rapist?!?!? The story I read proved that he was a cereal rapper.

[Elktonnick]

They already have a fully formed team with marketable stars. People will like Mookie for sure, but I think Bellinger will always be the top dog.

Mookie's smile will carry the day.

[notin]

oh great. dewey hanging out with a serial rapist!

 

It's all a typo. Verdugo was not seen with the rapist.; he was seeing a therapist...

[Elktonnick]

it's all a typo. Verdugo was not seen with the rapist.; he was seeing a therapist...

 

lol!!!!

[jad]

Bellinger is repeating what everyone in LA is already stating. The LA City Council wrote a damn letter to the MLB demanding the WS trophy be presented to them. You may not like him talking about the Astros, but Bellinger, Turner and many other Dodgers are going to continue to go after the Astros for some time. I believe the LA fans want them to do so.

 

The LA City council vote was a joke and an embarrassment. I assure you NO ONE out here is talking about that. There are still a few sanctimonious a-holes (like LeBron James) who apparently, during their entire sports careers, have NEVER experienced cheating and have no idea how to respond except by throwing a moralistic fit or falling to a floor like three-year-olds. In general, those who get most outraged at the whiff of cheating, scandal, or crime are those who are guilty of it.

[mvp 78]

The LA City council vote was a joke and an embarrassment. I assure you NO ONE out here is talking about that. There are still a few sanctimonious a-holes (like LeBron James) who apparently, during their entire sports careers, have NEVER experienced cheating and have no idea how to respond except by throwing a moralistic fit or falling to a floor like three-year-olds. In general, those who get most outraged at the whiff of cheating, scandal, or crime are those who are guilty of it.

 

So Bellinger, Turner, Markakis, Judge, Chapman and others are cheaters?